Six-day visa-free transit policy effective in China’s 27 ports
China has recently implemented a six-day visa-free transit policy at 27 of its key ports, offering greater convenience to international travelers. This move is part of China’s broader efforts to enhance tourism and improve travel accessibility for business and leisure visitors from various parts of the world.
1. Overview of the Six-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy
The new policy allows travelers from eligible countries to transit through certain Chinese cities or regions without a visa for up to six days (144 hours). This means that if travelers are passing through one of the 27 designated ports, they can stay in that city or region for up to six days before continuing their journey to a third country.
2. Eligible Countries for the Visa-Free Transit
Travelers from a range of countries can benefit from this policy. Although the exact list may vary, the following general criteria apply to the majority of eligible nations:
- European Union Member States (Schengen Area countries)
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Other countries in North America, Europe, Oceania, and parts of Asia
These countries are typically eligible for the six-day visa-free transit policy when passing through one of the 27 designated Chinese ports.
Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, along with the cities of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province, is among the new regions to launch the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, according to the National Immigration Administration.
The policy applies to passengers from 53 countries including Britain, the United States, Australia, Japan, Denmark, France, Germany and Russia. Travelers are required to carry valid international travel documents and onward travel tickets with confirmed dates and seats within 144 hours.
The policy has also expanded to Chengdu of Sichuan Province to cover 11 cities.
One notable development is that Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and Shanghai, the three economic powerhouses of eastern China, have unified the visa-free policy. This means that passengers can arrive in the country via the airport in Ningbo and exit through any port in the three regions, significantly expanding travel choices.
Data showed from January 2013 to September that more than 452,000 foreigners benefited from the 144-hour visa-free policy.
China now has 30 ports in 23 cities where the 72-hour visa-free and 144-hour visa-free transit policies have been implemented, among which 27 ports in 20 cities support the transit policy.
Source: ECNS Update: October 24, 2019
